Editorial: Blood donors needed during summer months

07.12.2011 | The Republican photo by Dave Roback | CHICOPEE – Rachel Mercier a collection specaliist for the American Red Cross, right, collects blood from Darlene Fanos of Chicopee at the blood drive at the Castle of Knights on Tuesday.

The outpouring of generosity by Western Massachusetts residents following the June 1 tornadoes has been unprecedented and gratifying.

Local residents, illustrating the biblical command that we are our brothers’ keepers, dug deep into their pockets and into their closets to provide food, clothing and furniture to friends and neighbors who lost homes and belongings as a result of the tornado.

Now, the Pioneer Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross - one of the lead agencies helping the region’s tornado victims - needs our help.

“We are currently critically low on all blood types," said Nancy Russ, recruitment manager of the local Red Cross chapter, during a community blood drive held in Chicopee last week.

Accident victims, as well as patients with cancer, sickle cell disease, blood disorders and other illnesses need lifesaving transfusions every day. There is no substitute for blood and volunteer donors are the only source. Massachusetts Blood Services Region provides blood to 73 hospitals and must have 650 people give blood each weekday to meet the demand. During the summer months when many folks are away on vacation, the need is even greater.

In particular demand is Type O negative blood because it can be transfused to patients with any blood type, especially in emergency situations.

The response to the tornado shows we are a generous community.

The Red Cross is there when we need it; we should be ready when they need us.

Eligible blood donors are asked to call (800) 733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org to find a blood drive and to make an appointment.